Anaheim defenseman Ben Lovejoy collided with (kneed?) Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon in the final minute of a 6-0 game, just before the Ducks scored to ruin Semyon Varlamov’s shutout. The Avs notched a 6-1 win after an entertaining donnybrook broke out from the final draw, with Avs coach Patrick Roy pushing over the glass that separates the benches. Roy, who was assessed a game misconduct, was not happy with Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau.

Cody McLeod was given a roughing minor and the Avs were given a minor for coach/manager on the ice (not sure who it was). Fourth-line Ducks forward Matt Beleskey was given a double minor for roughing.

“I was not very happy, first of all, seeing their defenseman (Lovejoy) kneeing our guy (MacKinnon). That was a knee-to-knee hit and it should have been a penalty in my opinion,” Roy said. “Certainly didn’t like that. When it’s 6-0 I don’t think this game needs this type of cheap shot. But after that obviously there was some talk from coaches, I guess, but at the same time what should I do? He put his fourth line on the ice and I’m not going to go with my first line, and I went with my fourth line and that’s it. I’ve been matching (lines) all night long by the way.”

Avs head coach Patrick Roy encouraged his players in the first period. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

Lovejoy and MacKinnon dropped the gloves in the second period but were only assessed roughing minors. Roy, after explaining the wild ending in his NHL coaching debut, said it was “just a normal night” and the “great intensity felt like I never left.”

Avs enforcer Patrick Bordeleau might have stirred the pot, but says the Ducks were looking for the fight.

“Patty (Roy) said nothing crazy at the end. They for sure rushed at us. I didn’t even hit the guy in front of the bench,” Bordeleau said. “They rushed at us, like three guys, so me and McLeod dropped the gloves to get ‘er going.”

He added: “They lost their minds, I guess.”

Fifth-year Avs center Matt Duchene said it was probably the most fun he’s had playing hockey in the past four years and reminded him of Roy’s fights with Detroit goalies Mike Vernon and Chris Osgood.

“I was like a kid, sitting on the bench kind of re-living the Vernon fight and the Osgood fight. It’s kind of similar, pretty cool. I’m giddy right now,” Duchene said. “It’s so fun to win like that and such a difference from the last few years. (Roy) is leading the charge here and we’re ready for it … Maybe it was a little much at the end there, but that’s alright we sent a message.”

Duchene said he saw Bordeleau fake like he was going to hit one of the Ducks against the bench boards.

“Bordy threw a head fake on the guy and it kind of went from there and it turned into an old-fashioned donnybrook. It was old-time hockey,” Duchene said. “Hopefully we’re sold out after next game after that. I don’t think the fans could ask for anything more than we gave them tonight.”

Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin said: “That’s Patrick Roy’s style. He wants to show everybody they’re going to be hard and tough to play against.”

I love Roy, but I have to agree with Boudreau that his behavior was a bit bush league. Not talking about putting out his fourth line, just him yelling at the Ducks players. Entertaining though. I certainly doubt he thought the glass would give that easily, either.

Cougs_suck

Boudreau is a well known whiner and loudmouth, I guarantee he played a very large part in Roy’s reaction.

burleigh

Probably so, and Boudreau may be a whiner and a loudmouth. But I stand by my opinion. I’d love to see Roy do it again- passionate, entertaining stuff. No doubt Boudreau played a very large part. Roy wouldn’t have had anyone to go ape sh@t at, besides the players, if Boudreau didn’t come to the glass.

hojo

I will brook no tolerance for you two actually discussing things in a calm manner, acknowledging each other’s finer points and disagreeing respectfully. This is he internet, for crying out loud! ;)

shaker

Its early…..give it a few games.

Cougs_suck

Yes I love the passion but I do fear if he has too many incidents like this the NHL will discipline him. Hopefully not because his passion is one of the things that makes him so great and players will play hard for a guy who has their back.

Ken Lord

Squirting another teams coach with your water bottle, no fine… but if he gets mad about it, he gets fined 10k. Either way, Roy just sold a lot more than 10k worth of tickets.

EnzoSin

Pfffftt..whatever man. Boudreau is a pansy, and it showed big time last night and even in last years playoffs for the Ducks.

Ken Lord

The knee to knee thing may have been a minor deal and just a regular fight, but once Corey Perry hosed Roy with the water bottle, you can’t fault Roy for goin ape on them. He’s part of the team (unlike Boudreau), and he showed he’ll stand up for both his guys and himself. As far as Boudreau trying to tell Roy “that’s not how the game is played,” I’d refer the never-been-to-the-finals Boudreau to Mr. Roy’s 4 Stanley cup rings. If Mr. Boudreau would like to know about how to win those rings, I’m sure Roy will be happy to send him a book or something.

Cougs_suck

MacKinnon abused Lovejoy all night and he took his shot at the end of the game, he’ll have to answer to someone next game for it. I loved Roy’s passion, after hearing Sacco say the same crap every game(loss) this is awesome.

Roy will probably need to take it down a notch, but it was a dirty hit at the end of a blowout, I don’t blame him at all for trying to protect his players and I welcome it.

Boudreau is lucky there was a partition there, he didn’t want any of Patrick Roy.

JR Ridings

I’m just waiting to hear how long Lovejoy’s suspension will be for a knee to knee “intent to injure” from the NHL….

El Duque

You’ll meet Godot before you hear from the NHL.

CaliMark

What a stupid comment. Why does Roy have to take it down a notch? That’s him pal. Would you rather watch a dead lifeless team like last year? The rest of us will enjoy the ride with the passion of Roy leading the way.

Cougs_suck

What about my comment was stupid? I said I loved his passion, I loved him sticking up for MacKinnon, but if he acts like that a lot he’s probably going to get suspended. I want the fire and passion, I want him to chirp opposing players and coaches, but stay away from the partition until they learn how to bolt it down properly because I’d also like to see him remain behind the bench. I think we agree you just don’t seem to understand my point.

Jimbotronn

Well said. The passion, the sticking up for his players, that’s all good… better than good, it’s great. The loss of control is what I’m concerned about, because if it’s that easy to get Roy off his keel you can bet every team in the league’s going to try it.

EnzoSin

They will try, and then they will fail. This franchise is no longer embracing mediocrity sweetheart. Get used to it. That was one of the best wins i’d seen in the last 4-5 years. I for one am loving it.

Ken Lord

There’s a reason we have the McCleod-Bordeleau diplomacy line… the Avs finally have a line capable of working out the finer minutia of the game that doesn’t get called by the refs.

Smell the Glove

Diplomacy line…. that’s good. I think we should use that from now on.

Cougs_suck

Thanks Jimbo, that was exactly my point. Show the passion, but just take it to the edge and not over, cuz the passion is much better used when he’s still on the bench. Either way I’m loving the Roy era.

Roy will continue to be an embarrassment as a leader on and off the ice. Although an incredible goalie his ability to control his temper and childishness as a Canadian and later on the Avalanche was clearly a problem. Let’s hope the NHL sends him a message for acting this way.

The only positive was it was against the Ducks and his arguing was with Corey Perry who is one of the bigger tools in the NHL.

C’MON MAN

Sounds like you’d rather have Sacco back, sounds like your hockey experience is limited to your backyard. Roy has his players back, Lovejoy hit was a cheap shot and now every team in the league knows that if you go after him you will have to pay the price.

I was a breath of fresh air to see intensity in the players, coaches, and fans. Everyone wanted to be there last night unlike the last 5 seasons with the Avs.

CaliMark

Thanks for that Redwing troll

Colorado Gary

LOL, i was thinking the same thing :-D

Ken Lord

I doubt that’s a RedWing troll… even the Wings hate the Ducks, last year when the Wings were spanking the Ducks, Boudreau did the same thing, ordered hitjobs on people, dirty hits with no hockey purpose at all. Even if the league rewards that kind of BS, either Tortorella or Roy is going to end up giving Boudreau a cheesecake-assisted heart attack if he keeps engaging in this kind of unsportsmanlike play.

EnzoSin

Moron, your bus is leaving.

Ken Lord

He can embarrass us to as many 6-1 wins as he darn well pleases.

noj

Apparently none of you that are saying Roy went too far watched the actual game. Perry squirted his water bottle at the bench…thats why Roy flew off the handle. I was sitting right there. Perry is a crybaby

Smell the Glove

Excellent win.

It’s hard to condone Roy’s behavior but he’s standing up for his players. Let’s hope these types of losses of control are few and far between.

CaliMark

What loss of control? The Ducks went ater the No 1 pick in the draft with intent to injure with a knee on knee hit. Roy’s reaction is just what this team needs. Do any of you know who Patrick Roy is?

Smell the Glove

He acted like a silverback ape. Being angry about the knee to MacKinnon is totally justified. Pushing over the partition is as clear cut an example of losing control of ones emotions as it gets.

ceraunograph

I didn’t know it was Roy’s job to make sure the partition is bolted down ahead of time. Slamming at the glass happens all the time. The glass being as weak as Boudreau’s principles is on the Pepsi Center.

Smell the Glove

It did seem to come down pretty easy.

Crystal Boudreau

Like Boudreau’s wife on just about anyone.

Smell the Glove

HIYOO

Ken Lord

Or Patrick Roy bench presses trucks in the morning.

Chris DeMott

I think the glass came down because both coaches hit it at the dame time, one high and one low. The rotational torque could have broken the partition. And, losing control of one’s emotions is part of sports sometimes.

EnzoSin

Don’t like it? Go back to the ivory tower and play tiddly winks sweetie. That passion is welcome over the garbage that’s been shown the last few years.

Smell the Glove

Sweetie? Now you’re just trying to make Jimbo jealous.

Colorado Gary

a good ol’ fashioned glass-slapping jawing episode looked much worse because someone didn’t finish the job of bolting the partitions between the benches down (or I assume)

Ken Lord

No, you don’t get to complain about how Patrick Roy reacts after Corey Perry squirts him with a water bottle… the NHL isn’t gonna fine Perry, but frankly, the rule of “don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing” holds in this one.

Chris DeMott

I condone Roy’s Behavior. He is a Hockey coach not a school teacher. He gave that team a swagger. He gave a city a reason to believe that their team will give them something to be proud of. He gave KSE a reason to believe that ticket sales will improve. He gave a bunch of young players a reason to look forward to coming to the rink every day. Matt Duchene’s comment said it all. He said, “that was the most fun I’ve had in my 4 years here.” Patrick has nothing to be embaressed about. I would compare this to one of the great Baseball Managers kicking dirt on the umpire — they and Patrick were letting their teams know that they have their backs. These kids will play so hard for him because of this. Just watch.

Smell the Glove

I agree that it will ultimately be a positive result and I acknowledged that it was because he was standing up for his players.

Mark T

Gotta disagree with you on that StG. That passion is going to be infectious. This team has been pushed around far too often in the past. It’s time for them to push back, and we saw that last night.

EnzoSin

You finally get it. Well said.

Smell the Glove

I’ll say this- I believe I was wrong in the first place about Roy being coach of this team. I love what I have seen so far.

I’ll also say this may have been the right time and the right place to blow his top. I think it’s safe to say it was a big hit in the locker room.

So maybe that was just what he needed to do last night. Or maybe this is one of many that we’ll watch, all of which won’t achieve a positive outcome. It’s the latter I was speaking to in my original comment.

Mark T

My thinking with Roy is that is a lot smarter than he is given credit for. He has implied that he has more control than people think when it comes to stuff like this. My guess is that he was thinking he needed to show the team how they should react when their young star player is given a cheap shot. Maybe he lost control a bit with his anger, but I think it was a calculated decision to allow himself to express that anger.

I remember when Rob Blake (of the Sharks at the time) knocked out Mueller with what I felt was a dirty hit and the Avs did nothing about it. No passion. No anger. Just passive acceptance. Maybe Roy watched that game too and realized that this team was missing that element and consciously decided to show them how it’s done. When you look at the teams that win consistently in the playoffs, they’re the ones that can stick up for themselves and fight back when someone tries to push them around.

The Can Crew are gonna need to reiforce that partition.
Then again, why they have both benches on the same side right next to each other in the first place? At least in basketball the scorer’s table separates them…

AJ in Seattle

Sometimes, Peter McNabb occupies a very small space between the two benches in a mini-booth and broadcasts from the ice. Thank GOD he wasn’t there last night, and I bet he was glad, too.

Mark T

Are you kidding? That would have been amazing! I can just imagine him trying to make himself as small as possible while Roy and Boudreau are screaming at each other.

PJ

Roy is bringing back the passion to Avalanche hockey; something that’s been lacking for many years in this organization. If you don’t like it; turn the game off and watch a chick-flick.

BobInBoulder

Lovejoy has to be suspended for that hit, at least 2 games. It was an intentional knee-on-knee with intent to injure. Very dangerous and dirty play. But given Shanahan’s history, he probably won’t be. The league is a joke until it really starts coming down on cheap crap like that.

JAWS

Shanahan and his filthy Red-Wing pals will commend the hit… He’s a joke

AJ in Seattle

Especially since Shanny is the one who clotheslined Patty in one of those games of legend, as Patty was skating to fight at center ice.

brock329

This is why fighting absolutely belongs in hockey. Cheap shots, such as lovejoy’s, will continue on star players until the ridiculous ‘instigator’ rule is gone and players that are intent on injuring others will have to face retribution in the form of getting pummeled. bettman and sham-a-ham cannot police the game like the players can and it is obvious that the officials cannot either.

Puck You!

I love the fire Roy brings to the Avs and let’s not forget this is hockey – it’s not no politically correct corporate event or ballet for that matter……….Go Avs!!!

AJ in Seattle

I only remember such passion from an Avs coach when Granato wanted to wipe that smirk off of Marc Crawford’s face after Steve Moore got his neck broken by that other piece of garbage Bertuzzi. I loved him for that, but then, he changed into another stoic, stonefaced statue behind the bench. This game only served to remind me of why I named my son Patrick. :)

Pixelrebirth

To me this was an Anaheim team that was embarrassed by the “second worst team in the league”. Embarrassment caused by outstanding play, speed, and perseverance. The Avs said one thing last night.

“We are not to be trampled on, we are coming for you- 6 goals at a time.”

I dont think I have been this proud of our Avalanche in 10 years! So very proud to see them fight, to see them keep scoring over and over again. No quit in this bunch!

Thank you Roy! Let’s go Avs!

Mark T

*slow clap*

Ramon

The Anaheim Mighty Pricks a bad losers, plain and simple. But they shouldn’t be too frustrated, because they will lose a lot of games with such a crappy squad….

Btw:Kneeing a rookie with 6 behind is cheap and dirty!

stsk

Is taking off your helmet before a fight an infraction or not? Is an intentional knee-on-knee hit a near-automatic game misconduct or not? Does squirting water at the opposing bench constitute provocation or not? Is Boudreau a complete pussy or just a partial one? Does he hire someone to blow the zebras or does he do it himself?

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.